[asht89]

I recently got my saxophone and i am really enjoying learning on it and playing the instrument. I can play a few songs now, and im getting better each time i pick it up. however, i find that im getting a few bad notes now and then. it is usually the 'G' note (when using the octave key), and the low 'D' and 'C'. The G is sometimes muffled and sounds bad, and sometimes the low D and C go up an octave when im not pressing the octave key. i can get the notes sounding good by moving my lips, putting more of the mouthpice in my mouth and sometimes playing a bit louder. i was just wondering if anyone else experienced these problems and if anyone has any embrochure techniques/tips that apply to these problems or any tips in general. thanks

 

[hakukani]

All righty--glad you like the sax. We sure do, too!

First off, do you have a teacher? It's much easier to correct any problems when you are in the same room with an experienced player/teacher than over a discussion forum.

Second, I see that you have a tenor. Play an A, or find a G on a piano. Take the mouthpiece off and match that pitch. Remember what it feels like, and try to get the same embouchure when you put the mouthpiece on the sax. Be sure to use plenty of air!

Keep practicing.

 

[asht89]

thanks for the tips, they are helpful no i dont have a teacher, but i am going to try and get one. my friend has played tenor sax for many years, and he helps me out with everything so thats helpful too. I dont think i am using enough air. i think this because when i use more air, the note that sounds is a lot clearer and sharper. oh well, im getting there thanks again

 

[Bluesblaster]

Hi asht89

What kind of mouthpiece do you use?
I'm learning myself and have struggled with similar problems. I had difficulty hitting any note that required the octave key. My instructor would play the horn and it sounded fine but those notes just were not achieveable to me. Finally my instructor advised that I get a new mouthpiece. I bought a Yamaha 5-C an Rovner ligature. These won't break the bank and they really made a big difference. After just a few minutes getting use to to new mouthpiece I was able to reach all the high notes. There is a thread on SOTW that I started called "Advice to Newbies - Start off with a decent mouthpiece". It is under the "What to buy and why" forum. Got lots of great feedback from everyone here. I think you can search on my name to find it.

In fact you will find a lot of threads with questions on tone production under my name. Lots to learn but fortunately there are some great folks here to help you out.

Also practice long tones.

Good luck

 

[asht89]

Hi asht89

What kind of mouthpiece do you use?
I'm learning myself and have struggled with similar problems. I had difficulty hitting any note that required the octave key. My instructor would play the horn and it sounded fine but those notes just were not achieveable to me. Finally my instructor advised that I get a new mouthpiece. I bought a Yamaha 5-C an Rovner ligature. These won't break the bank and they really made a big difference. After just a few minutes getting use to to new mouthpiece I was able to reach all the high notes. There is a thread on SOTW that I started called "Advice to Newbies - Start off with a decent mouthpiece". It is under the "What to buy and why" forum. Got lots of great feedback from everyone here. I think you can search on my name to find it.

In fact you will find a lot of threads with questions on tone production under my name. Lots to learn but fortunately there are some great folks here to help you out.

Also practice long tones.

Good luck

ahh rite. ill definetly check that out, thanks. i just use the mouth piece that came with it, along with this vandoren reed that also came with it (gauge 2 i think). My friend uses the rico jazz select reeds and she really likes them, but i am going to get a lot of different reeds and just test them out i think. the ligature is just a metal one that came with it. the saxophone is stock, i havent changed anything...yet but im still learning about mouthpieces and that. ive found ive got rid of some of the bad notes through sheer practice and work on my technique.

 

[BYOB]

When I started with a Selmer C* mouthpiece, it may have given me a bit of an edge in terms of learning, but in reality, playing the full range of the sax comes with practice.

I couldn't hit the low notes either, and I'd always manage to mess up the notes in the second register, but after practicing, it comes eventually.

In the future, it would be a good idea to buy a quality "pro" mouthpiece. But don't get too caught up in the hype. Just get one and stick with it.